Apple iWatch could be closer to reality than we think
Reports of an Apple iWatch are mounting quickly, and a report from today will throw more fuel on the timekeeper fire.
According to sources speaking with Bloomberg, a team of about 100 product designers are tinkering away on a "watch-like device" that possibly performs some of the computing tasks currently undertaken by the iPhone and iPad.
Two Apple employees in particular - James Foster, senior director of engineering, and Achim Pantfoerder, a program manager - are said to be part of the efforts, while other managers, marketing group members and software and hardware engineers who worked previously on Apple's phones and tablets are said to be involved.
The team has grown over the last year, the sources reported, and its size suggests the watch is "beyond the experiment phase in its development."
Wrist backup
Bloomberg described the device as a "wristwatch-style computer" and suggested that CEO Tim Cook is under pressure from investors to introduce something revolutionary and not merely evolutionary while rivals like Samsung gain greater traction. A report from over the weekend suggested the iWatch would include Siri and Maps to offer features like walking directions, two iServices iOS users currently enjoy. That report centered around a distinct curvature for the glass, but there's no mention of that design element in Bloomberg's story. The publication's squeaky sources divulged that Apple has worked on wearable devices with an eye on fitness before, but none of those devices have (obviously) made it to market.
 |  |
Read More ...
Bluestacks brings Android apps to the Surface Pro
Windows 8 users, especially those with a Surface Pro, can now enjoy up to 750,000 new apps for their devices, with Bluestacks launching a new beta version of its Android app player.
Advertised as "optimised for Surface Pro, the latest version of Bluestacks joins builds for previous versions of Windows and a version for Macs.
The Android App player is sort of like an emulator that lets you run any Android app on devices which are not powered by the Android OS. Bluestacks handles the code and the user interface for the apps.
The company recently announced 5 million downloads of its beta software, even before it launched for the touch-friendly Windows 8 environment. There are plenty of punters queueing up for news about the tool's development too, with the company's Facebook page acquiring over a million followers,.
Bugs to squish
Despite there being a lot of enthusiasm for the project, the software is receiving mixed reviewers from everyday users. Tech site CNET awarded Bluestacks a 'best of CES award' in 2012, but comments on the CNET download page from users are far less favourable; many pointing to a laggy experience within apps. "There's probably not enough space on the internet to list everything wrong with this program, so here's the condensed version: its a disaster," bemoaned one dissatisfied user. Still, that is what beta test periods are for: downloading with an open mind and crossing your fingers for performance enhancing updates. We have confidence that these bugs will be sorted before Bluestacks is ready for prime-time.
| |
Read More ...
Sony claims victory as Aussie game sales slump
Sony Australia is claiming multiple victories in the Australian gaming market over the past 12-months, despite the iGEA recording a 23-percent downturn in hardware and software sales during the same period.
Based on figures gathered by analyst firm NPD, the Australian games industry totalled $1.15 billion in 2012, down from $1.5 billion in the previous year. Despite these hard numbers, iGEA CEO Ron Curry believes this figure undervalues the market as a whole, as it only accounts for sales through retail stores and leaves out digital sales, which could be worth in excess of $600 million.
"As Australians consume video games across a broader range of mediums, it's becoming harder to get a true indication of the value of the industry via a single source," said Curry in a statement.
Waiting for the next big thing
He also believes the downturn in physical sales reflects the end of the life cycle of this current generation of gaming consoles, saying that a similar trend was seen back in 2005, before the release of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Despite this sour news, Sony Australia is celebrating its position as number 1 for hardware and software sales in Australia for 2012, with a 27-percent share of all hardware sales and a 29-percent share for software. Microsoft is yet to respond to the iGEA report, but we expect to hear from them shortly. Bucking the downward trend of the market generally, the iGEA did note that PC sales were up by 3.4-percent for the period. This on the back of big name releases for PCs in 2012, namely Diablo 3 and Guild Wars 2. The biggest loser in the report does seem to be console sales though, with a drop of 26-percent recorded. This could see a huge turn-around this year if Sony and Microsoft release new highly-anticipated new hardware, the first clues of which we are likely to see at the Games Developers Conference (GDC) in a few weeks time.
| |
Read More ...
Use Google Maps to spy the North Korean nuclear test facility
North Korea yesterday detonated a miniaturised nuclear explosive in a test which it is claiming was a success and the U.N. is condemning as a "grave violation of U.N. resolutions".
The test was conducted in a secret testing facility, but with thanks to information gathered from North Korean dissidents and defectors, you can take a look at the test facility now on Google Maps.
It's always the last place you think to look
And wouldn't you know it, the test apparently took place in a large facility with the street address 1 Nuclear Test Rd. According to Mashable, pin-pointing the address came with the help of the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) Earthquake Hazard Program, which reported seismic activity in North Korea yesterday, with shockwaves measuring a magnitude of 5.1. Plugging the co-ordinates of the subterranean rumblings (41.307°N, 129.076°E) into Google Maps takes you to Nuclear Test Rd, and to the facility after a little zooming and panning. If after checking out the nuclear facility you feel like scoping out a few more places of interest on Google Maps, you can try actor Will Smith's home (which looks like a small village), or try and solve the mystery behind this huge question mark painted on the ground in France. Via Mashable
| |
Read More ...
LG Optimus G Pro in 5.5-inch form confirmed for South Korea
The recently announced Optimus G Pro was already slated to drop in Japan in April, though LG hadn't yet announced a date for its native country of South Korea.
A slightly revamped Optimus G, the Japan-bound Pro featured a 5-inch 1080p IPS display, 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor, and would run Android 4.1: Jelly Bean.
While the Japanese version of the smartphone sounds rather enticing, rumors sprung up late last week that LG was planning yet another Optimus G Pro for South Korea.
On Tuesday, some of those rumors were confirmed, when LG announced an even bigger, better Optimus G Pro for its homeland. Maybe it's playing favorites?
Homeward bound
According to the LG Facebook page, the South Korean edition of the Optimus G Pro will feature a 5.5-inch HD IPS-LCD 1080p screen, putting it in direct competition with the Galaxy Note 2. The manufacturer also stated more details and specifics about the new smartphone would be revealed as more and more people "liked" the company Facebook page. Whether or not those details will confirm the reported 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor, 2GB of memory, and 13MP/2MP rear/front cameras remains to be seen - if you're curious, a page like might help. The South Korean version is also believed to tout a 3140 mAh battery, a boost over the Japanese version. There's a chance the Optimus G Pro could find its way outside of the two announced markets, and into hands in Europe and North America, but we'll likely have to wait until the Mobile World Congress to find out LG's future plans.
| |
Read More ...
Fitbit adds wireless syncing for Android, following Nike FuelBand snub
Fitbit, the purveyor of fine wearable activity trackers, is hoping to capitalise on Nike's decision to abandon Android users, by giving them exactly what the sportswear giant won't.
Following yesterday's news that Nike has no plans to launch an Android app for its FuelBand device, Fitbit has launched a sparkling new, and well timed, version of its own offering for Google-based devices.
With the updated app, owners of the Fitbit One, Zip and Ultra now have access to wireless syncing over Bluetooth 4.0, meaning all data gleaned by the tracker will be sent back to the Android phone or tablet.
The new functionality is only available to Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and Samsung Galaxy S3 users at present, but support for more devices is imminent, the company said.
Droid love
Fitbit had announced its plans to incorporate wireless syncing at last month's CES Expo in Las Vegas, so it's a quick delivery for those Android users eager to try out the feature During the tech extravaganza, the company also launched the new wrist-based Fitbit Flex device which, like its stablemates, provides information on calories burned, steps taken, distance travelled and length/quality of sleep. In anticipation of the Flex's launch, scheduled for sometime this spring, the new app has NFC support built-in also. The update is available to download from the Google Play store, but remember the fancy new Bluetooth 4.0 syncing feature is only available to Note II and Galaxy S3 owners at present.
| |
Read More ...
Official: Jessops relaunch coming soon, following Peter Jones buyout
The new Jessops photo company, bought out of administration by Dragon's Den entrepreneur Peter Jones, is preparing for a grand online reopening, a post on the company website has revealed.
Jessops.com now features a holding page informing camera enthusiasts that "the new Jessops website will be launching soon," and encourages visitors to sign-up for relaunch updates.
The announcement comes exactly a month after Jessops permanently pulled down the shutters on all 187 of its remaining stores in the UK, following its dramatic post-Christmas collapse into administration.
The 78-year-old brand had faced possible extinction until Jones bought the naming rights on January 31 with the intention of running the chain as an online-only business.
No news on physical stores... yet
Although the reopening of some of the more successful Jessops locations has been mooted in some quarters since the deal, the website post makes no mention of a return to brick and mortar stores. The post does say that the retailer's existing customer database will transfer to a new company called Jessops Data Limited next month, which is based in Peter Jones' home of Marlow, Bucks. It also provides a link to the recently relaunched Jessops Photo printing business, which Jones claimed was 'just the start'. That database will now be transfered to Jessops supplier, german photobook retailer CeWe Color.Unexpected competition
The BBC TV star also runs the Expansys mobile retailer and will be hoping to apply the Midas touch necessary to see Jessops return to its former glories in the face of brutal competition from Amazon and the supermarkets. Ironically, he will face competition from one of Jessops own former board members. The old company's former chairman David Adams will perform the same role a British retailer Park Cameras.
| |
Read More ...
Intel's long-rumored internet TV service, set-top box will land this year
An Intel-produced web TV service is in the works, Corporate Vice President at Intel Media Erik Huggers has confirmed, putting to bed rumors that such a product was indeed under development.
"We have been working for about a year now to set [up a] group called Intel Media," said Huggers during a D: Dive Into Media discussion Tuesday. The event, featuring discussions with leaders from around the industry, is hosted by AllThingsD.
"It's a new division with new people - people from Apple, Netflix, and Google. And it's devoted to developing an internet television platform."
The service won't be without an Intel-powered set-top box, available directly from the firm and featuring a "fantastic industrial design." Huggers said he expects consumers will be able to get their mitts on Intel's television workings in 2013.
Why?
According to the VP, Intel's unnamed service will offer live TV as well as on-demand, "catch-up TV" and apps. Users will have to pay for both the set-top and ability to watch TV online. Programming will come in bundles, much like what's offered through major cable companies. Though Intel aims to make a better product, it won't necessarily be cheaper than what's already available. In what will likely make some consumers squirm, a camera will call the set-top box home, watching users' movements and noting viewing habits with the objective of providing a personalized viewing experience. Advertisers will naturally benefit from this arrangement, as well. When asked by a member of the media why even bother with the project, Huggers replied that it was part of creating a "best" TV experience for consumers. "If we want to deliver the experience that we have in mind for the living room, there is no platform out there today that could deliver," he said. "[You] need to control everything - the chip, the operating system, app layers, the sensors. That's sort of the reason why we're there. If there were platforms that could deliver exactly what we had in mind, we would work with that."
| |
Read More ...
Assembling top UK cyber-crime force may take 20 years, report warns
The UK is in desperate need of more skilled workers to tackle the rising threat of cyber-crime, according to an independent report.
The National Audit Office (NAO) has produced a report claiming that although progress is being made by the government, there are not enough top tech minds coming through the ranks to halt the future threat.
In 2011, the government pledged £650m to fight terrorists, criminals, political hackers and snooping foreign governments and says it is investing that cash heavily in education and research.
However, due to the lack of focus on science and technology in schools, education experts interviewed by the NAO believe that it'll take "up to 20 years to address the skills gap at all levels of education," adding that the "the current pipeline of graduates and practitioners" would not be sufficient.
Continually evolving
The report said greater focus from the police and prosecutors is providing results, but said cyber-crime was still costing Britain up to £27 billion a year. Amyas Morse, head of the NAO, which audits government and public finances, said: "The threat to cyber security is persistent and continually evolving. "Business, government and the public must constantly be alert to the level of risk if they are to succeed in detecting and resisting the threat of cyber attack." Morse also called on the government to reveal a clear plan detailing how it intends to reach the cyber-security goals it has laid out so far. "It is good that the government has articulated what success would look like at the end of the programme. It is crucial, in addition, that progress towards that point is in some form capable of being measured and value for money assessed."
| |
Read More ...
Microsoft Surface Pro support has a 4.5-year expiration date
If you just bought a Surface Pro, get ready to upgrade by July 2017, because that's when Microsoft will drop support for the Windows 8 Pro tablet.
Microsoft's support website reveals that the Surface Pro will be subject only to "mainstream" support, which will end halfway through 2017, PCWorld reported on Tuesday.
That gives the Surface Pro a nearly four-and-a-half-year lifespan, matching last year's announcement that support for the Surface RT will expire in April 2017.
Four and a half years may seem like a decent lifespan, but it could also be construed as an indication of how Microsoft sees the Surface tablets in regards to business customers.
None of your business
Microsoft's business-oriented products are usually granted an additional five years of support after mainstream support dries up, called the "extended" support phase. Neither Surface tablet gets that extended support, demonstrating that Microsoft apparently considers even the Surface Pro, with its full version of WIndows 8, more of a consumer-facing tablet. TechRadar considered at length whether the Surface Pro is right for business users, but now it seems like Microsoft has provided us with an answer.On the other hand
Microsoft is just following the lead of its competitors, though, and that four years plus of support seems downright generous in comparison with Apple, which ceased support for the original iPad just two years after its launch. The 2010 tablet was never updated to iOS 6. If Microsoft offers annual hardware iterations for the Surface, then customers will likely be itching to buy a new one by 2017 anyway. During the Surface RT and Surface Pro's mainstream support phases, Microsoft will offer hardware repairs (free under warranty), replacement parts and units, and telephone-based support for the Windows 8 tablets. Windows 8 itself will be supported for the full 10 years (five mainstream, five extended) of support, according to a support website FAQ. It states that "the software embedded in [the Surface device] is subject to the Microsoft software lifecycle support policy, as is any software that is installed or downloaded on that Surface device."
| |
Read More ...
Tim Cook calls OLED screens 'awful,' says $8B paid out to developers
It should come as no shock that Apple CEO Tim Cook is an avid proponent of the Retina display technology used in the latest generations of iPhones, iPads and MacBooks.
But what might surprise you is the extent to which he'll pan the OLED displays that competing devices ranging from the Samsung Galaxy S3 to the Nokia Lumia 820 use.
Cook told investors at a meeting hosted by Goldman Sachs Tuesday that the color saturation of OLED displays is "awful."
"You should really think twice before you depend on the color from an OLED display," he said.
Harsh words
While we may not agree about OLED displays (which can often look quite nice, as anyone with a Sony PS Vita can attest), Cook went on to make a good point about the mobile arms race. Whereas many companies compete to get the highest specs on their devices, Apple "sweat[s] every little detail," Cook said. Focusing on the specifics of hardware - which seem abstract at best to your average consumer - is what companies who can't "create an amazing experience" resort to, Cook said. He said he thinks Apple's devices have the "best display" - no surprise there.All about the apps
Superior display technology isn't all Apple has going for it; according to Cook, the Cupertino company paid $8 billion (UK £5.1B, AU $7.8B) to app developers over the years. Apple's app store has been incredibly successful. CNET reported in January that app store downloads passed 40 billion, 20 billion of which were in 2012, and as of October there were 700,000 apps available for download. "We built an ecosystem that is the best customer experience on the planet," Cook said during Tuesday's meeting. According to CNET's January report, app developers had made $7 billion (UK £4.47B AU $6.79B) from the app store. The meteoric rise of that number could be an indication of Apple's "enormous momentum," which Cook attributed to the aforementioned ecosystem.
| |
Read More ...
Hands-on review: Vertu Ti
The Vertu Ti is the first Android smartphone from the luxury smartphone maker, although it's certainly not for everyone.
But is it for me, you ask. Honestly, probably not. Unless that is, you've got money coming out of your ears and regularly travel the world.
For you see Vertu has a very focussed market and although it may be a small one in the grand scheme of things, it's pretty much unrivalled in what it does.
Think of the Vertu Ti as the mobile equivalent to a Mulberry handbag or Rolls Royce Phantom.
Its starting price is an eye watering £6,700 (around $10,600/AU$10,300) with the premium model, the Black PVD Titanium Red Gold Mixed Metals since you ask, topping out at £13,900 (around $18,600/AU$18,100).
Available this month the Ti will be winging its way to Vertu's stores worldwide, if you fancy divulging.
The Ti signals a new direction for a company which has shed its Finnish backer (it was formerly owned by Nokia) and the accompanying Symbian platform for pastures Google.
For the money you'd expect the Vertu Ti to be challenging the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S3 and HTC One X+ in the features department, however Vertu isn't in a spec war with the mainstream manufacturers.
In fact the Ti comes with a relatively mediocre offering including a 1.7GHz dual-core processor, 3.7-inch display, 8MP camera, NFC, 1250mAh battery and the dated Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.
There's no 4G connectivity for super-fast data on the go, but what you do get is access to Vertu's exclusive Life, Concierge and Certainty services which cater to your every whim.
The handset itself has a unique design which won't be to everyone's taste, but it's certainly distinctive and will stand out among the sea of Apple and Samsung products no doubt littering boardrooms these days.
Pick it up and you'll notice its got quite a heft to it, even with its polished Titanium case which apparently offers optimised weight, but at least it feels like an expensive device and not a cheap toy.
It's chunky too, so popping it into a shirt pocket won't be ideal and means it doesn't fit particularly well in the hand, especially when you compare it to the super slim and light iPhone 5.
The exposed screws which features in various places on the Vertu Ti and leather accents exude an industrial, masculine vibe, plus all that shiny metal and the swath of glass covering the 3.7-inch display are magnets for finger prints.
We found ourselves constantly wiping the Vertu Ti as the build up of prints makes it look pretty grubby in next to no time.
Vertu are making a song and dance after the glass protecting the screen on the Ti, it's apparently the largest sapphire crystal screen ever made and it's claimed to be four times stronger than rivals. We'd have love to put it to the test, but alas that wasn't allowed - strange.
Up top there's a power/lock key which we found to be a little tricky to hit as it sits slightly indented into the chassis meaning you can't just tap it quickly, requiring a concerted effort to ensure a proper connection.
On the right you'll find volume keys which are thankfully easier to manipulate, above which is the headphone jack.
It seems to be an odd place to locate the headphone port as it will make the Vertu Ti difficult to put in a pocket with the cable poking out the side. We'd have much preferred it to be located on the top or bottom.
On the left you get a centralised microUSB port plus an additional key which isn't a camera shutter button but a quick link to the dedicated Vertu area on the Ti.
Give it a press and the Vertu menu pops up allowing you to quickly access the Life, Concierge and Certainty services.
A vast amount of the cost, we assume, goes towards paying for these services which you get for two years after which you'll need to renew your subscription, at what we expect to be a similarly highly priced rate.
While these services are pretty much lost on us, we can appreciate that for some they will be a godsend.
Life is pretty much a high brow Groupon, offering exclusive deals and recommendations nearby and around world, while Certainty provides technical support, secure protection for your data and personal security.
The Concierge service is what Vertu is most well known for and on the Ti you can contact the firm's exclusive assistance via 24/7 voice, email and live chat, with a dedicated team ready to answer to your every beck and call.
Round the back the Vertu Ti is predominantly leather, which does provide some grip and the finish can vary depending on how much you're willing to pay.
There is a sizable metal square breaking up the cow hide, housing the Ti's 8MP camera and single LED flash, but that's not all.
Between the lens and flash is a small handle which you can flick up to release the flap below which bears the Vertu logo.
It's a bit fiddly to unclasp thanks to the small size, but once we'd managed to flick it up the hatch popped off to reveal a full size SIM card slot.
There's no expandable storage option, but with 64GB built into the Vertu Ti that isn't much of a problem, but the lack of access to the 1250mAh battery may be an issue for some.
Every Vertu Ti is handmade in England and testament to this can be found on the back of the hatch, with the signature of the chap who put your phone together etched onto its rear.
Once we'd manage to press the lock key on top of the Vertu Ti the 3.7-inch display came to life providing a crisp, bright display, but it's not as stunning as Apple's Retina offering or the Super AMOLED tech we see on Samsung's smartphones.
It's disappointing to see the Ti isn't running the latest version of Android, instead you're stuck with version 4.0.4, affectionately known as Ice Cream Sandwich.
Luckily Vertu hasn't tampered with Google's setup too much, providing some custom wallpapers, widgets, ringtones and app icons but leaving the majority of the ICS platform untouched.
The dual-core processor has no trouble chugging through Android and we could easily slide through the homescreens and browse the pages of apps without any hint of slow down.
Apps loaded in good time, while the multi-tasking menu can be accessed by holding down the physical home key below the screen.
The home key is accompanied by physical back and menu keys, which we found to be a little too close together and not the easiest to hit, slowing down our user experience.
The camera app loaded up relatively swiftly and we were pleased to see it was the stock Android offering, giving you an clear and concise shooting experience.
Unfortunately the shutter speed on the Vertu Ti was disappointingly slow, and images didn't look great with blurred shots and generally grainy results produced in our admittedly poorly lit surroundings.
On the plus side there is a decent panorama mode available, plus the 8MP camera round the back can shoot 1080p video.
The Vertu Ti comes equipped with the stock Android browser and Google's Chrome both of which are perfectly capable options, although we were unable to test the surfing speed as there was a lack of web connection in the underground event space.
We've become accustomed to large screens on mobile phones and even Apple has woken up and managed to squeeze a 4-inch offering on the iPhone 5, which leaves the 3.7-inch display on the Vertu Ti feeling a tad small.
This became more noticeable when we came to using the keyboard, as the keys felt cramped and although the default Android input method was present we did make a few mistakes as we tapped out some messages.
It's not the end of the world and with the Google Play store on the handset you can easily download a better version in next to no time - we recommend SwiftKey if you fancy taking a look.
Video playback also suffers slightly from the smaller screen and while it's perfectly fine for general usage you can notice a lack of quality if you're watching a movie.
This won't be an issue if the Vertu Ti had a price tag which reflected its specifications, but for the money you actually need to stump up we kind of hoped it could match the likes of the iPhone 5 and Sony Xperia Z.
The same feeling extends across the whole device because when you consider that price tag we can't get our heads around why the Vertu Ti doesn't challenge the big guns in the mobile market.
Sure it's not Vertu's plan to take them on, but if you're paying top dollar surely you expect the best?
Early Verdict
As we said at the start the Vertu Ti isn't for everyone, in fact it's for very few. Those who want a device which will make a statement and give them the reassurance that there's always someone on the end of the line to book them a taxi from the airport, find them a restaurant to eat at or direct them to the nearest public toilet. Vertu was never planning on aiming the Ti at the mainstream market, hardly a surprise given the sky high price and lavish materials used in its construction, but we can't help but think people are being taken for a bit of a ride when you can get a more powerful, more feature packed smartphone for £500.
| |
Read More ...
Apple looking to make iPhone 'more affordable', says Cook
Apple's CEO today broached the thorny topic of whether the company will make a cheaper iPhone.
Rumours have hit fever pitch over the past months pointing to a cheap phone coming out of Cupertino in the near future.
Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet conference today, Tim Cook didn't let much slip but definitely didn't deny that a cheaper iPhone was in the works.
Cooking with gas
"We are making moves to make things more affordable," Cook said when asked about cheaper iPhones. "When we came out with iPod it was $399, today you can buy an iPod Shuffle for $49. Instead of saying how can we cheapen this iPod to get it lower, we said how can we do a great product, and we were able to do that. The same thing, but in a different concept, in some ways." Likewise, on the 'lower-cost' Mac front, "We concluded we couldn't do a great product, but what did we do - we invented iPad. Now all of a sudden we have an incredible experience and it starts at $329. Sometimes you can take the issue and you can solve it in different ways." So a cheap iPhone, in its current form, could be deemed unlikely - but a completely new product that incorporates bits of the iPhone, like, say, a watch, could be a possibility. Is the also-much-rumoured iWatch actually the budget iPhone? Watch this space.
| |
Read More ...
Updated: Apple iTV release date, news and rumours
Apple iTV rumours: what you need to know
We love the Full HD Apple TV, but we're not sure Apple does: the firm's more interested in getting iPads into your living room than Apple TVs under your flat screen. Apple says the Apple TV is a hobby, but it turns out the company is thinking bigger. Much, much bigger: it wants to sell you the entire TV set, not a little box beneath it. In an early 2012 earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook hinted again at the release of something bigger and better than the current Apple TV (credit CNN Money).Is Apple iTV confirmed?
"With Apple TV, however, despite the barriers in [the TV set top box] market, for those of us who use it, we've always thought there was something there. And that if we kept following our intuition and kept pulling the string, then we might find something that was larger. "For those people that have it right now, the customer satisfaction is off the charts. But we need something that could go more main market for it to be a serious category." However, it is possible that he meant a set top box, and rumours have continued to rumble on that Apple is in talks with US cable providers over a new version of its existing Apple TV box.Apple iTV release date
Most rumours predict a 2013 Apple iTV release date. The New York Times says that price, not technology, is the problem: Apple is waiting for the cost of large LCD panels to fall further before building iTVs. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster suggested in November 2012 that the iTV would come out a year later, in November of 2013. This is big change in Munster's thinking. Earlier this year Munster was calling for Apple to announce the Apple television in December, then release it in the first half of 2013. As AppleInsider says. "Most notably, he expects Apple will launch a television set in time for the holiday 2013 shopping season. He expects the product to be priced between $1,500 and $2,000, with screen sizes between 42 and 55 inches." As Business Insider says, Munster doesn't provide any reason for his thinking. However, some rumours in May 2012 suggested that we won't see the Apple iTV until 2014. In December 2012 Wall Street Journal sources said that various TV prototypes have been on the company's slate for a number of years.Apple iTV design
In mid-May a new report from Cult of Mac claimed one of their contacts saw a working prototype of the Apple TV. The report claimed that Siri and iSight will feature (so face and voice recognition then), while the design is similar to that of an Apple Cinema Display. The Telegraph says that "sources within the company" say that Jeff Robbin, the man who helped create the iPod, is leading the team. Apple has seemingly denied rumours that it is working with French designer Philippe Starck. Remember when he worked with Microsoft on a mouse? However, it appears that Starck was actually working on another project, a yacht, with Steve Jobs before his death. On 13 May 2011, we reported that Apple is rumoured to be in talks to buy TV manufacturer Loewe. AppleInsider wrote that talks have entered the advanced stages and Loewe is expected to make a decision on Apple's offer within the next week.Apple iTV specifications and display
Engadget predicts an A5 processor and 1080p video - neither of which are a huge surprise, granted. Australian tech site Smarthouse says that the Apple iTV will come in three sizes, including 32-inch and 55-inch models. Sources at "a major Japanese company who are involved in manufacturing the TV" reckon the sets will have the same processor as the forthcoming iPad 3, which presumably means an Apple A6. Smarthouse isn't usually the go-to site for Apple rumours, but its report echoes similar claims by respected Apple analyst Gene Munster, who told the recent Future of Media conference that Apple will make its TV in a range of sizes. "The smallest one will be 42 inches in size, followed by a 52 inches one and a 60 inches iTV (coincidence or not, these exact sizes are available on Sharp TVs, too)," said Gozmorati. This information was repeated in several similar stories. March, June and December 2012 rumours pointed at Sharp being the manufacturing partner. SlashGear says work on components is already under way. In mid April, Sharp announced it had begun production of 32-inch HI-DPI LCD panels at its Kameyama Plant No. 2 - could these be the panels destined for the Apple iTV? Apple contractor Foxconn's parent company has made a rather large investment in Sharp - does this indicate something we wonder? Both companies were apparently working together to 'test' TV designs in the December 2012 rumours. An early 2013 patent, reported on by Macworld, describes "a sound system that could be launched as part of its iTV. The intelligent system could determine where a user is in a room, and if he or she was not within the optimum range, the processor could modify the audio output, says the application. It could also adjust based on which way the user is facing, and the environment that the user is in," Clever stuff.Apple iTV operating system
As with the Apple TV, any iTV is likely to run iOS, albeit in slightly disguised form. Compatibility with other iOS devices is a given: current Apple TVs already accept video streamed via AirPlay and access shared iTunes libraries. We'll be amazed if the iTV doesn't get apps. Expect Apple iTV and Apple TV to work more like iOS does on the iPad; the newest iOS 6 Beta for the Apple TV enables app icons to be moved around the homescreen just like on the iPhone and iPad. That has led some observers to conclude that the rumoured App Store for Apple's favourite 'hobby project' might be on the way sooner rather than later.Apple iTV and iCloud
Steve Jobs told his biographer: "I'd like to create an integrated television set that is completely easy to use. It would be seamlessly synced with all of your devices and with iCloud. It will have the simplest user interface you could imagine. I finally cracked it." According to one source which claims to have seen the device, the new TV has Siri and FaceTime.Apple iTV remote control
Munster says the iTV will come with an ordinary remote control, and will be controllable with iPhones, iPod touches and iPads, but the real remote control will be Siri. Apple's voice recognition system will be the heart of the new Apple TV, enabling you to choose channels and control the TV's functions with voice alone. That means " the simplest user interface you could imagine" is voice. However, according to a new patent filed in March 2012, Apple has come up with the design for an advanced universal remote that would also be compatible with your iPhone and iPad.Apple iTV AirPlay mirroring
After AirPlay mirroring from Mac to Apple TV was present in the developer preview of OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, it's not a great leap to suggest that the Apple iTV could mirror the display of your Mac or iPad wirelessly too. AirPlay mirroring is now 1080p with the new iPad and new Apple TV. When a prototype was reportedly 'seen' it did feature AirPlay.Apple iTV programmes
While the iTV will get content from iTunes and iCloud, it's not going to be completely separate from current TV broadcasters: Munster says that you'll still need a cable TV subscription and decoder because Apple doesn't have enough content. We're not sure whether it would play nicely with Freeview and Freeview HD here in the UK, but perhaps a DVB-T compatible unit will arrive as part of a second generation. As of 6 March 2012, rumours were continually doing the rounds that, as the New York Post reports, Apple is planning to launch a music streaming service this side of Christmas. On 13 March, Les Moonves, who is CEO at CBS, says he was the recipient of a pitch from Steve Jobs regarding his network's participation in a subscription-based service, but turned him down. Apple is also rumoured to be talking about getting partners involved for movie streaming. His reasoning? Moonves says he was worried about damaging the network's existing revenue streams through broadcast and cable television. The main question is whether Apple will open the door for third-party content, like the BBC iPlayer, Sky Go and 4oD and other apps we've seen on connected TV platforms. These may well arrive with apps - the Apple TV SDK will pull on the iTV ecosystem and we're expecting apps to be available for Apple TV too. Mind you, it's also been claimed that Apple will seek to cut traditional TV providers out of the content loop.Apple iTV price
Gene Munster reckons that the iTV will be twice the price of a similarly sized TV. Ouch. However, new March 2012 rumours point at a subsidised launch - courtesy of various partners.Apple iTV picture quality
If the iTV does appear, it won't leave manufacturers quaking in their boots. That's according to Samsung's Chris Moseley who told Pocket-Lint in early February 2012 that the firm isn't overly concerned with what Apple launches if it decides to enter the TV market "We've not seen what they've done but what we can say is that they don't have 10,000 people in R&D in the vision category," he says. "They don't have the best scaling engine in the world and they don't have world renowned picture quality that has been awarded more than anyone else."Apple iTV gaming and apps
Although most of the rumours so far have been about the hardware involved in the iTV, gaming may be a major focus of the new device. Apple CEO Tim Cook was spotted in mid-April at the HQ of Valve Software, the company behind gaming platform Steam. Some rumours are drawing more from this meeting, saying Apple could be producing a Kinect-style gesture-based console. But this is likely to be part and parcel of the iTV.
| |
Read More ...
Updated: Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie release date, news and rumours
Android Key Lime Pie news
Google's showing no signs of slowing its pace of Android development, with Android 4.0 appearing on the Galaxy Nexus late in 2011, followed in July of 2012 by the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean release that arrived powering the super Nexus 7. But, forward-looking, update-obsessed people that we are, we can't help but imagine how Google's going to maintain the pace of innovation in its next version of its mobile OS, Android 5.0. All we know so far is that Google's working away on the K release of Android, which it's developing under the dessert-related codename of Key Lime Pie. Regarding the version number, it's likely that the Key Lime Pie moniker will be given to Android 5.0. We thought we might find out on 29 October but as yet there is no official word from Google. Rumours of a new Nexus handset started trickling in during the third quarter of 2012, as we reported on 1 October 2012. There was speculation that this phone would be sporting Key Lime Pie, but sources who spoke to AndroidAndMe correctly claimed that the handset, which turned out to be the Google Nexus 4 would be running Android Jelly Bean. So now as we wait on official news of the Android 5.0 release date and features, we can start to pull together the Key Lime Pie rumours from around the web, with the first sighting of Android 5.0 on a benchmarking website, apparently running on a Sony smartphone. There has previously been speculation that Sony is in line to produce the next Nexus phone, which may lend some credence to this rumour.Android 5.0 release date
Google has announced that its next developer conference - Google IO - will take place from May 15 to May 17 2013, a month earlier than 2012's June dates. Given that Google announced Android 4.1 Jelly Bean at 2012's IO conference, it's not unreasonable to expect to see Android 5.0 at this year's event. On 31 January, a Google IO showing of Android 5.0 looked more likely when screengrabs of a Qualcomm roadmap were leaked, showing Android 5.0 as breaking cover between April and June 2013.Android 5.0 phones
While the Nexus 4 didn't appear with a helping of Key Lime Pie, speculation that we reported on 21 January 2013 suggests that the Motorola X Phone is the Android 5.0-toting handset that will break cover at Google IO. According to a post on the DroidForums website, the phone will also feature a virtually bezel-free, edge-to-edge, 5-inch display. The same leaked Qualcomm documents cited above also made mention of a two new Snapdragon devices, one of which will be, unsurprisingly, a new Nexus phone.Android 5.0 features
The first kinda, sorta confirmed feature for Android 5.0, is a Google Now widget, which briefly appeared in a screenshot on the company's support forum before being taken down. That said, the widget may appear in the next update to Jelly Bean instead of being held back for the big five-o. More Key Lime Pie features are yet to revealed, so as we scour the web for more Android 5.0 news, TechRadar writer Gary Cutlack has been thinking about what we want to see in Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie. Hopefully the new mobile OS will feature some of these things...1. Performance Profiles
It's bit of a fuss managing your mobile before bed time. Switching off the sound, turning off data, activating airplane mode and so on, so what Android 5.0 really needs is a simple way of managing performance, and therefore power use, automatically. We've been given a taste of this with Blocking Mode in Samsung's Jelly Bean update on the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the Note 2 but we'd like to see the functionality expanded. Something like a Gaming mode for max power delivery, an Overnight low-power state for slumbering on minimal power and maybe a Reading mode for no bothersome data connections and a super-low backlight. Some hardware makers put their own little automated tools in, such as the excellent Smart Actions found within Motorola's RAZR interface, but it'd be great to see Google give us a simple way to manage states. Another little power strip style widget for phone performance profiles would be an easy way to do it.
2. Better multiple device support
Google already does quite a good job of supporting serious Android nerds who own several phones and tablets, but there are some holes in its coverage that are rather frustrating. Take the Videos app which manages your film downloads through the Play Store. Start watching a film on one Android device and you're limited to resuming your film session on that same unit, making it impossible to switch from phone to tablet mid-film. You can switch between phone and web site players to resume watching, but surely Google ought to understand its fans often have a couple of phones and tabs on the go and fix this for Android Key Lime Pie?3. Enhanced social network support
Android doesn't really do much for social network users out of the box, with most of the fancy social widgets and features coming from the hardware makers through their own custom skins. Sony integrates Facebook brilliantly in its phones, and even LG makes a great social network aggregator widget that incorporates Facebook and Twitter - so why are there no cool aggregator apps as part of the standard Android setup? Yes, Google does a great job of pushing Google+, but, no offence, there are many other more widely used networks that ought to be a little better "baked in" to Android.4. Line-drawing keyboard options
Another area where the manufacturers have taken a big leap ahead of Google is in integrating clever alternate text entry options in their keyboards. HTC and Sony both offer their own takes on the Swype style of line-drawing text input, which is a nice option to have for getting your words onto a telephone. Get it into Android 5.0 and give us the choice. UPDATE: Google heard us and this feature appeared in Android 4.2.
5. A video chat app
How odd is it that Google's put a front-facing camera on the Nexus 7 and most hardware manufacturers do the same on their phones and tablets, yet most ship without any form of common video chat app? You have to download Skype and hope it works, or find some other downloadable app solution. Why isn't there a Google Live See My Face Chat app of some sort as part of Android? Is it because we're too ugly? Is that what you're saying, Google?6. Multi-select in the contacts
The Android contacts section is pretty useful, but it could be managed a little better. What if you have the idea of emailing or texting a handful of your friends? The way that's currently done is by emailing one, then adding the rest individually. Some sort of checkbox system that let users scroll through names and create a mailing list on the fly through the contacts listing in Android Key Lime Pie would make this much easier.
7. Cross-device SMS sync
If you're a constant SIM swapper with more than one phone on the go, chances are you've lost track of your text messages at some point. Google stores these on the phone rather than the SIM card, so it'd be nice if our texts could be either backed up to the SIM, the SD card, or beamed up to the magical invisible cloud of data, for easy and consistent access across multiple devices.8. A "Never Update" option
This would annoy developers so is unlikely to happen, but it'd be nice if we could refuse app updates permanently in Android 5.0, just in case we'd rather stick with a current version of a tool than be forced to upgrade. Sure, you can set apps to manual update and then just ignore the update prompt forever, but it'd be nice to know we can keep a favoured version of an app without accidentally updating it. Some of us are still using the beta Times app, for example, which has given free access for a year.
9. App preview/freebie codes
Something Apple's been doing for ages and ages is using a promo code system to distribute free or review versions of apps. It even makes doing little competitions to drum up publicity for apps much easier, so why's there no similar scheme for Android? It might encourage developers to stop going down the ad-covered/freemium route if they could charge for an app but still give it away to friends and fans through a promo code system.10. Final whinges and requests...
It's be nice to be able to sort the Settings screen by alphabetical order, too, or by most commonly used or personal preference, as Android's so packed with a huge list of options these days it's a big old list to scroll through and pick out what you need. Plus could we have a percentage count for the battery in the Notifications bar for Android 5.0? Just so we know a bit more info than the vague emptying battery icon.
| |
Read More ...
Hands-on review: Sonos Playbar
When it comes to reputation, Sonos is second to none in the wireless multi-room speaker arena. Having always positioned itself as the go-to speaker set up for music lovers, it is now trying to take over your TV with its first soundbar, the Sonos Playbar.
The company calls the Playbar the soundbar for music lovers, promising that it delivers all the world's music (through compatible apps from Spotify, Rdio et al) wirelessly, as well as giving your flatscreen TV an auditory boost.
But can it satisfy both sets at once?
Design and setup
First, the looks. There's not a great deal to play with in the soundbar design department - you're basically looking at a bar full of speakers. That said, the Sonos effort isn't bad; it's unassuming enough to sit almost imperceptibly beneath the television, while the rounded corners and matt casing are aesthetically pleasing when you do notice it. Some might think it a tiny bit chunky compared to the slinky bezel-challenged televisions around at the moment, but the fact that you can place the bar anywhere you like helps on that front. In the traditional Sonos style, there aren't many buttons or ports to speak of on the Playbar; just an ethernet port, power-in and optical audio-in for connecting it up, and three understated volume and pairing buttons. Inside, there are nine speakers - six midrange and three tweeters, which are positioned under the mesh to provide a wide sound stage and angled so that the audio spread is uniform no matter where you position the Playbar.
So you can opt for above the TV, below it, on the wall or on a table in front of the television and it will detect the differing positions you put it in using an accelerometer and automatically recalibrate the speakers accordingly. Pretty clever - and you'll never know it's even doing it.
Pairing the Playbar to a Sonos bridge is very simple - just put the bridge in pairing mode, then press and hold the volume up and pairing button on the Playbar and you're away.
Once paired, the Playbar is on the same network as any other Sonos speakers you have around the house, so it forms part of your multi-room setup (you can then play different songs in different rooms or the same song in all the rooms as you wish).
It also means the Playbar can playback any of your MP3 music library, or pretty much any song ever, using the Controller App's Spotify (and Rdio, etc) apps. There's also internet radio, if you're struggling to decide what you feel like listening to.
The Playbar doesn't come with a remote control - shock horror. Instead, it uses your television remote and the Sonos Controller app (for iOS and Android) - and hey, one less remote cluttering up the place is just fine with us.
Sound quality
Sitting directly in front of the Playbar will give you the best experience - as is the case with any sound bar. Watching big action sequences, there was definitely a nice depth to the audio and a not hugely noticeable but still apparent movement to the sound. The Playbar did struggle a little bit when there was a lot of audio going on at once - so where action was kicking off but characters were still speaking (well, shouting), the dialogue did tend to get a little bit lost. With the television off, the music-playback can be described with one word: loud. The music we listened to through just the Playbar sounded pretty huge and while die-hard audiophiles may be left wanting a little more clarity from the playback, for everyday users the quality is more than adequate. Things get a bit more interesting when you add the Sonos Sub into the mix; the Sonos Playbar automatically adjusts the levels when it knows it's using the sub so that the bass doesn't overwhelm the sound, be it music or film. But it's reassuringly bassy - and when listening to a spot of dubstep, for example, the Playbar alone didn't judder us enough to make us feel physically ill but the Playbar and Sub duo sure did. The final pieces of the surround-sound puzzle are the two Play 3 units which you do have to faff about with a bit to set up - Sonos has tried to simplify this process as much as possible but there is still a certain amount of measurement estimation to deal with. Unfortunately for anyone hoarding Play 5s, the surround sound set up only works with the smaller consoles. Once you're up and running, though, the surround sound is impressive, with the sound running smoothly around the room - we watched the train crash from Super 8 and the destruction was all around us. The fact that this is a wireless surround-sound setup is all the more impressive, but it does come at a price - about £1600 (around $2500) for the whole lot - and that's before you've even thought about your swanky svelte TV.Early verdict
We've had our reservations about soundbars in the past, with many of the pricey ones underwhelming and the cheap ones proving that old idiom: you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. But we were impressed with the Sonos Playbar at first listen and we love the fact that its uses extend beyond simply watching films and TV. We'd like to see a bit more clarity in the film playback though - not everyone watches massive action flicks in their spare time - but it's certainly a vast improvement on what most televisions offer.
| |
Read More ...
Sonos Playbar launches assault on the living room
Sonos has set its sights on the living room with the latest addition to its wireless multiroom speaker range, a soundbar dubbed the Sonos Playbar.
Specially designed to sit below, above or parallel to your television depending on what design aesthetic you're going for in the lounge, the Playbar automatically recalibrates its nine speakers based on how you install it.
Those nine speakers feature six midrange and three tweeters, backed up by nine Class-D amplifiers.
Network it
Like all Sonos speakers, the Playbar can be networked wirelessly to the rest of your Sonos-flavoured sound system and controlled from a smartphone or tablet. When the goggle box is off, the Playbar can play music from your MP3 collection or through Sonos' various additional music apps (including the likes of Rdio and Spotify). The Playbar offers 3.0 virtual surround sound on its own but when set up in tandem with the Sonos Sub subwoofer and two Play 3 consoles, the Playbar forms the hub of a fairly expensive 5.1 wireless surround sound system. If you don't fancy shelling out for the two Play 3 speakers for the back, you can add just the Sub in to boost the bass - the Playbar intelligently recalibrates to lessen the bass it plays when the Sub gets involved, then ups it again if you ditch it later. As you'd expect from Sonos, its Playbar comes at a bit of a price - £599 at launch (scheduled for March) in the UK ($699 in the US) and you'll need a Sonos Bridge (£40/$49) to make use of the wireless networking facilities. On the plus side, bank account permitting, you can add as many extra Sonos Play 3 and Play 5 speakers to the wireless network as you like, in as many rooms around your house as you like.
| |
Read More ...
Updated: iPad mini 2 release date, news and rumours
The iPad mini has been on sale for a few months now, so when will we get the iPad mini 2?
It seems like Apple has been surprised by the iPad mini demand, although there are no real sales numbers for the device from Apple as yet
iPad mini 2 specs
The story goes that the iPad mini 2 will have an even sharper display of 2,048 x 1,536 pixels packed into the same 7.9-inch space. RBC Capital Markets analyst Doug Freedman - who was in China visiting chip companies in mid-December 2012 said: "iPad Mini Gen-2: Apple's gen-2 iPad mini is getting pulled-in, and is likely to have several new suppliers, with TXN gaining content." .Could the iPad mini 2 also have the A5X processor under the hood?iPad mini 2 release date
It seems like Apple might have to do a little more than pump up the screen resolution to get consumers excited for the next pint-sized iPad. With production of the sharper screens projected to start by the later half of 2013, the iPad mini 2 release date could be mid to late 2013? And could March be the release date for a revised version? Ming-Chi Kuo, a financial analyst with KGI Securities, has published what is believed to be a leaked roadmap of Apple products for 2013. That points at an iPad mini 2 being released late in the year.iPad Mini 2 display
The grown up iPad 4 has a Retina display, and the next mini should either have that Retina tech or something similar. Since the mini is much smaller, it means even more pixels can be cramped into every inch; the mini 2 is said to have a crisp 324 ppi density. Upping the screen resolution isn't the most surprising upgrade for the potential iPad mini 2. The biggest criticism of the current iPad mini so far is its 1,024 x 768 resolution. Critics wonder why a Retina display wasn't incorporated into the first iPad mini to begin with. Cynics will say Apple went with a lower resolution so it had some low hanging fruit to grab for the next upgrade. Production problems surrounding the iPad mini might also be the culprit. Anand Lal Shimpi and Vivek Gowri of Anandtech suggest that there are three things Apple has to do to bring a retina display to the iPad mini. Reports in February 2013 suggested the iPad mini 2 retina display was already being manufactured. It's suggested that it will have a pixel density of 324ppi.iPad mini 2 price
When the iPad mini was first released, reports said the steep price point of $329/£269/AU$369 was due to manufacturing difficulties. Indeed, well into early 2013, iPad minis were not shipping quickly. The new GF DITO touchscreen technology that helps make the mini so small is reportedly one of many production hurdles. AU Optronics (AUO), the company that produces the current iPad mini LCD panels, was also having yield issues with the mini screens at first, so a Retina-like display could have caused additional production headaches. However, AUO claims it smoothed out production problems surrounding the current panels, already resolving the light leak issues that held up fabrication.
| |
Read More ...
Google Now widget could be the first step to Key Lime Pie
Google has possibly given us a brief glimpse into the future of Android after an image of a Google Now widget appeared on its support page.
Google Now is the search giant's answer to Apple's Siri, monitoring your daily activities and then serving up information it thinks will be relevant to your day.
Currently there's no widget support for Google Now, but after Android Central spotted an interesting post in the firm's support forum that looks set to change.
Now you see it, now you don't
The post has since been removed by Google, adding more fuel to the fire that it is indeed planning on bringing the widget to the Android platform soon.
This has led to speculation that the widget could be one of the new features lined up for Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie - the next major overhaul of the mobile platform which could be announced in May at Google's annual I/O event.
For now we're just going to have to wait and see, as the widget could appear in a minor update for the current Jelly Bean system instead of being held back for the next big upgrade.
| |
Read More ...
Your iPhone searches could cost Google $1 billion this year
How much are iOS users worth to Google? $1 billion (about £641m, AU$976m), apparently, with one analyst firm predicting that's what it will cost the search giant to remain the default search engine on iOS.
We can just imagine Tim Cook rubbing his hands together gleefully and demanding "…One billion dollars!", half-expecting an eruption of laughter from the Google camp, like when Dr Evil tries the same thing.
But no, Google will likely bite just as it has done for the past few years despite the price steadily increasing according to Morgan Stanley's calculations.
Search wars
In fact, according to Morgan Stanley, Google only gets 25 cents for every dollar it makes from search advertising on iOS while Apple takes the other 75 cents. So what's in it for Google? Keeping a hand in with iOS users, to start with, as well as all the lovely data it gets every time you look something up on the go. And if Google pulls out, Microsoft's Bing is quite ready to step into the breach just as it has done on BlackBerry handsets (and, obviously, all Windows Phone devices). Google will be loathed to lose all those users to its Microsoft counterpart. Despite the chunk of change Google's $1 billion represents, Apple could choose to do away with Google as the rivalry between the two firms and their mobile ecosystems deepens. However, we all saw what happened when it tried to ditch Google Maps...
| |
Read More ...
iPhone 5S spied on the production line in China?
A host of images have turned up online claiming to show a yet unannounced Apple handset on production lines in China which could potentially be the iPhone 5S.
There's been a huge amount of speculation surrounding the next iteration of iPhone, with many suggesting Apple will release an incremental upgrade to the iPhone 5 instead of going the whole hog with the iPhone 6.
The 14 images picked up by Chinese site SJBBS appear to show a handset which looks very similar to that of the iPhone 5, which further boosts thinking that the 5S is on the cards.
Can you feel it?
With no distinguishing features to separate the front plate snaps from the current leader in the iPhone range, people have been taking a closer look at the pictures displaying the components inside the device.
Apparently the handset in the picture uses a different rotational motor, which makes the phone vibrate, to the one found in the iPhone 5.
Some people had complained that the vibration on the iPhone 5 was noisier that on its predecessors, so Apple may be addressing this with its next smartphone.
Of course we're taking all these pictures with a hefty dosage of salt as it's not the first time we've seen factory leaks claiming to be an Apple product, only to turn out to be fakes.
| |
Read More ...
Next Xbox to press play on interactive TV
Microsoft has revealed that a team of 150 people are busy beavering away on a host of interactive video content for the next Xbox.
The fruits of this in-house video team's labour will be made available through Xbox Live, but expect to see ads alongside it as Microsoft looks to make some moolah from its hard work.
The production team is working on video that you'll be able to do more with than just watch - as Microsoft's Nancy Tellem puts it, "You can either watch linear content or really interact with it."
Tellem, who is corporate VP of the company's LA studio, explained that the Kinect puts Microsoft in "a unique position to produce content with a much higher level of interactivity".
This new focus on content jives nicely with the speculation that the Xbox 720 will require use of the Kinect rather than offering it as an add-on as the Xbox 360 does.
Stat attack
As well as talking interaction, Tellem revealed some Xbox stats at the D: Dive Into Media conference. Apparently Microsoft has now shifted over 75 million Xboxes, with 46 million customers subscribing to Xbox Live and 24 million of them shouting and waving at their devices using a Kinect. The company claims that Xbox account holders average 87 hours a month of screen time on their consoles, and that 38 per cent of Xbox users are women (although we have a feeling there may be a bit of creative number fudging going on here). The next Xbox is still under wraps but we're expecting to see it debut in March - or before E3 2013 anyway - ready to hit all relevant Santa-based correspondence for Christmas 2013.
| |
Read More ...
Vertu Ti revealed as mid-range Android phone with an eye-watering price tag
The Vertu Ti has been officially uncovered as the first Android smartphone from the luxury brand and it sports a price tag which will leave you feeling light-headed.
Vertu is renowned for its garish, over-priced devices. Although it parted company with Nokia and the Symbian platform last year, this hasn't stopped the maverick firm from doing what it does best.
On paper the Vertu Ti is just another mid-range Android handset with a 1.7GHz dual-core processor, 3.7-inch display, 8MP camera, NFC, 1250mAh battery and the now dated Ice Cream Sandwich OS making it seemingly destined for mobile obscurity.
It's how much?!
However, lock eyes on the Ti and you'll notice that this is a phone which wants to stand out from the crowd, with its polished Titanium and leather-clad chassis appealing to only the most refined palate - and then there's the cost. It comes in at £6,700 (around $10,600/AU$10,300). No, we haven't accidentally added extra zeros, the Ti really will set you back the same amount as a small car - and that's just the starting price. Fancy picking up the Black PVD Titanium Red Gold Mixed Metals version? It's £13,900 (around $18,600/AU$18,100). Included in the price is access to Vertu's concierge service as well as Vertu Certainty, which is a security system ensuring all data on the device and its user is safe. The Vertu Ti release date is set for this month and it will be available in over 500 stores around the world.
| |
Read More ...
Updated: iPhone 5S release date, news and rumours
The iPhone 5 may only be a few months old, but we're already hearing information about a successor, which may be known as the iPhone 5S in keeping with Apple's naming convention.
The early arrival of the iPad 4 and the iPad mini - just eight months after the release of the iPad 3 in March - has meant that Apple still has the ability to surprise and we could well see an iPhone 5S appear earlier than expected.
Nevertheless, it's more likely that the iPhone 5S will hit stores in the latter part of 2013, following the trend set by the iPhone 5 and 4S. It's even possible that Apple will skip the iPhone 5S and hop right on to the iPhone 6.
Some developers contacted The Next Web in early January to say they had seen a new iPhone6.1 identifer in logs - a device running iOS 7.
One analyst has claimed Apple could use the iPhone 5S to increase its margin for iPhones as a result of falling profitability.
iPhone 5S release date
That means the iPhone 5S release date could be as early Spring 2013. However, we believe it's still likely that we'll see another iPhone later in 2013. But that's not what everybody thinks: the Chinese-language Commercial Times estimates that full commercial production of the rumored iPhone 5S will begin as early as Q1 2013. That's borne out by further rumors suggesting a March manufacturing start date, followed by a mid-year release. Digitimes reckons the iPhone 5S release date will be a little later, citing predicted sales targets of relevant component manufacturers. "Apple is expected to introduce its next-generation iPad and iPhone series around the middle of 2013... Component orders placed by Apple, which climbed to high levels prior to the iPhone 5 rollout, will rise again between March and April, the observers indicated." Some sources claim that Apple has is ploughing ahead with the next iteration of the popular handset, due to low yield rates of the iPhone 5 on the assembly line at Foxconn. Apparently, because of the fragility of the parts used to make the device, many break before they even see the light of day.iPhone 5S display
iPhone 5S or iPhone 6 will include a Super HD screen display and camera according to new reports in December 2012. The China Times says a 'Touch On Display' panel is being developed by Taiwanese supplier Innolux with 10 point multi-touch and a 0.5mm thickness. Apparently the site spoke to sources inside Apple's supply chain.iPhone 5S casing
According to further rumours, the iPhone 5S might not be the only Apple handset we see this year - rumours abound about cheaper, plastic iPhones, while Apple could be readying an even bigger smartphone to launch in June, apparently called the iPhone Math. According to the hit-and-miss China Times wesbite the iPhone Math will carry a sizable 4.8-inch display and an 8MP camera. The new, larger, lower-cost handset could be aimed at emerging markets such as China. However, it remains likely that the iPhone 5s will simply use the iPhone 5 shell given Apple's penchant for doing this with the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4S.iPhone 5S camera
In January 2013 iLounge received information that indicated the handset would sport the same design as the iPhone 5 with the key difference being a beefier camera and larger flash on the back. That's hardly ground breaking from Apple, with the touted 13MP camera on the 5S hardly bucking the trend considering the Sony Xperia Z already has this and we'd expect the Samsung Galaxy S4 to offer up something similar. New rumours from January 2013 pointed towards the iPhone 5S having a 13MP camera as well.Have we already seen the iPhone 5S?
It was reported on 6 December that images of a purported next-generation iPhone have surfaced on French website Nowhereelse.fr, revealing an exterior virtually identical to the current iPhone 5 but with slightly different internals.
Phones Review suggests that a dual-SIM iPhone 5S could be released, hot on the heels of a rumoured Samsung Galaxy S4.
More parts appeared in photos shown by BGR towards the end of January 2013.
iPhone 5S wireless charging
According to CP Tech, Apple filed a patent application last month for Wireless Power Utilization, a wireless charging system with near-field magnetic resonance (NFMR). That means we'll get wireless charging at last. Needless to say, TechRadar will be keeping a close eye on all the iPhone 5S rumors and will bring you the latest developments as they emerge - on this very page.
| |
Read More ...
Giddy LG announces MWC 2013 line-up ahead of show
It seems that LG is so excited about the handsets it will be flaunting at MWC 2013 that it's gone and announced them ahead of the Barcelona event.
Only yesterday we heard more rumours suggesting that the Korean firm is lining up a new range of phones to come under the L Series 2 banner, and those reports appear to be true.
LG has confirmed that it is launching the Optimus L7 2, Optimus L5 2 and entry-level Optimus L3, with the L7 II being the first of the trio on the market as it's set to make its debut in Russia this week.
The handsets will replace the original LG Optimus L7, Optimus L5 and Optimus L3 which arrived at MWC last year, and failed to really set the world alight.
Spec Attack
None of the offerings are particularly scintillating in terms of features with the LG Optimus L7 2 sitting at the top of the pile with a 1GHz dual-core processor, 768MB of RAM, 4GB of internal memory, 4.3-inch IPS display, 8MP rear camera, VGA front camera and a 2,460mAh battery, but at least it's running Android Jelly Bean. There are less specs available on the Optimus L5 2 and Optimus L3 2, with the L5 sporting a 4-inch display and 1,700mAh battery. The entry-level Optimus L3 2 packs a 3.2-inch display and 1,540mAh battery, with pricing and global availability currently unknown for the handsets. TechRadar will be getting to grips with the new L Series 2 range at MWC 2013, so look out for our first impressions in our hands on review.
| |
Read More ...
Available Tags:Apple , Android , Sony , Google , LG , wireless , TV , UK , Microsoft , iPhone , iPad , iPhone 5 , Xbox , iPhone 5 ,
No comments:
Post a Comment